To cut your electricity bill without giving up cool air, set the AC to 24–25°C, clean the filter every two weeks, keep the unit serviced and shade its outdoor unit. It matters because, according to the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), air conditioning accounts for more than 60% of household electricity use. Below are 12 tips based on guidance from SEC and the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC), plus a worked example of what running one AC costs.
Why bills spike in an Eastern Province summer
Dammam’s average daily high is 43.8°C in June, 45.2°C in July and 44.8°C in August, and coastal towns such as Saihat and Qatif are far more humid at night and in the early morning. The shamal, a hot, dusty north-westerly wind, usually blows from late May to mid-August and clogs filters and coils, so the AC has to run longer for the same comfort. That’s why regular AC cleaning shows up directly on your bill.
How SEC calculates the cost: a worked example
SEC’s residential tariff has two tiers, and 15% VAT is added on top:
| Monthly consumption | Price per kWh | Including 15% VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6,000 kWh | 18 halalas | About 20.7 halalas |
| Above 6,000 kWh | 30 halalas | 34.5 halalas |
Worked example (illustrative assumptions only): a split AC drawing 1.8 kW while running, used 10 hours a day for 30 days, in a home whose total consumption stays within the first tier.
- Energy used: 1.8 kW × 10 h × 30 days = 540 kWh
- Consumption charge: 540 × 0.18 SAR = 97.20 SAR
- VAT at 15%: 14.58 SAR
- Total: about 111.78 SAR a month for this one AC
The example covers only the consumption charge and VAT, and real figures depend on the unit and the weather. The rule of thumb: every kWh you save is worth about 21 halalas including VAT, so running this AC two hours less a day saves 108 kWh, roughly 22 SAR a month. Above 6,000 kWh in a month, each extra kWh costs 30 halalas, about 67% more than the first tier.
12 tips to reduce your AC electricity bill
1. Set it to 24°C or 25°C
SEEC recommends 24°C as the most suitable setting, while SEC recommends 25°C. The two are one degree apart and share the same logic: a moderate set point means less work for the compressor. Start at 25°C and drop to 24°C if the humidity feels heavy on muggy days. Don’t set 16–18°C hoping it will cool faster; it usually just makes the unit run longer and harder.
2. Clean the filter every two weeks
SEEC, SEC and Daikin all recommend it. Gree’s manual says every three months, more often in dusty conditions, so during the Eastern Province dust season two weeks is the sensible choice. A clogged filter chokes airflow and makes the AC run longer. Our split AC cleaning guide shows how.
3. Book a professional service at least once a year
SEC recommends servicing your AC at least once a year, ideally before summer. ENERGY STAR’s checklist for a professional service covers cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, cleaning and adjusting the blower, tightening electrical connections, measuring voltage and current, and checking the refrigerant and condensate drain. A dust-coated coil can’t exchange heat properly, so the compressor runs longer.
4. Shade the outdoor unit and keep it clear
SEC advises shading the outdoor unit, as long as the shade or anything stored nearby doesn’t block airflow; Samsung lists a blocked outdoor unit among the causes of poor cooling. SEEC also advises against installing ACs in light-wells or cramped spaces, where hot exhaust air gets drawn straight back in.
5. Seal gaps around doors and windows
SEEC recommends sealing gaps: every leak of cool air lets hot, humid air in. Weatherstripping under a door or around a window frame is often enough.
6. Use insulating curtains
Another SEEC tip: close them by day on sun-facing windows, especially west-facing ones in the afternoon.
Bill going up and the AC not cooling like it used to? A dirty coil or a refrigerant leak could be the cause. Send technician Ali at Mousa Workshop a photo of the unit and its nameplate on WhatsApp, or call +966 54 372 8453. He’ll diagnose the problem and tell you the cost before starting.
7. Run a fan alongside the AC
A ceiling or pedestal fan spreads the cool air and makes you feel cooler, so 25°C stays comfortable. Fans cool people, not rooms, so switch them off when you leave.
8. Close off unused rooms
Switch off the AC in empty rooms and shut their doors, and don’t leave a cooled room open to an uncooled hallway.
9. Use sleep mode and the timer
On many units, sleep mode raises the set point gradually overnight, when you need less cooling, and the timer can switch the AC off after you’ve fallen asleep. Check your manual for the settings.
10. Don’t ignore a refrigerant leak
Refrigerant isn’t used up in a sealed system, so low gas means a leak. Warning signs include weak cooling, higher indoor humidity and rising bills, and the AC should be switched off until it’s repaired. Learn the signs your AC is low on gas, and leave refrigerant work to a qualified technician.
11. Buy a high-efficiency AC: check the SASO label
When buying, check the energy label issued under SASO 2663:2021. It grades ACs from A to G by SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio): the BTU of cooling delivered per watt-hour of electricity over a season, calculated with Saudi weather data up to 46°C. The higher the SEER, the cheaper the unit is to run:
| Class | SEER (Btu/W·h) |
|---|---|
| A | 18.0 or more |
| B | 15 to under 18 |
| C | 12.5 to under 15 |
| D | 10 to under 12.5 |
| E | 9 to under 10 |
| F | 8 to under 9 |
| G | Under 8 |
The updated standard, SASO 2663:2025, is due to take effect on 1 December 2026, using SEER in its minimum efficiency requirements.
12. Get the size right
SEC estimates about 800 BTU per square metre for uninsulated buildings and about 600 BTU for insulated ones. A 20 m² uninsulated room therefore needs about 16,000 BTU, making 18,000 BTU the nearest standard size; insulated, the same room needs only about 12,000 BTU. An undersized unit runs non-stop without reaching the set temperature. Our AC size guide has the details.
When to call a technician
If the bill stays high despite these tips, a fault may be to blame. Book a check if you notice:
- The AC runs for hours without reaching the set temperature, even with a clean filter.
- Ice on the pipes, or hissing near the joints.
- The outdoor unit hums but its fan won’t spin, or the compressor keeps cutting in and out.
- A burning smell from the unit.
Don’t open the unit yourself: the capacitor can hold a high-voltage charge even with the power off. A professional check measures pressure and current and tests the capacitor and fans; see our AC repair and maintenance service.
Mousa Workshop is based in Al-Salam District, Saihat, and serves Saihat and Anak, Qatif and its towns, Tarout and Darin, Dammam, Khobar and Dhahran, Safwa and Ras Tanura, daily from 8 AM to 11 PM. Get your units ready for next summer with professional AC cleaning, or send a photo on WhatsApp or call +966 54 372 8453. Ali diagnoses first and tells you the cost before starting.
Sources
- Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) recommendations, via the Saudi Press Agency
- Saudi Electricity Company: residential consumption rationalisation
- Saudi Electricity Company: consumption tariffs
- SASO: SEER workshop on the AC energy efficiency label (PDF)
- ENERGY STAR: heating and cooling maintenance checklist
Frequently asked questions
Does an inverter AC really save electricity?
An inverter AC varies its compressor speed to match the room's needs instead of repeatedly switching on and off, so it is usually more efficient over long running hours. The fairest way to compare two units, though, is the efficiency class and SEER value on the SASO label, not the word 'inverter' alone.
Is it cheaper to switch the AC off when I go out, or leave it running?
For absences of several hours, switching off or raising the set point usually saves energy, because re-cooling the room generally takes less than running the AC the whole time you are away. To come home to a comfortable room, set the timer to start it shortly before you arrive.
Does a bigger AC save money because it cools faster?
No. An oversized AC cools the air quickly, then switches off and on again many times, leaving the room more humid and putting extra strain on the compressor. Choose the capacity for the room's size, insulation and orientation instead.
How do I find out how much electricity my AC uses?
Look for the cooling power input on the unit's nameplate, usually in watts. Divide by 1,000 to get kW, then multiply by your daily running hours and the number of days. Treat the result as a rough estimate, because the real draw changes with outdoor heat and as the compressor cycles.